Islanders coach Patrick Roy says he wants an explanation from the NHL for a failed challenge on his coach during the first period of Tuesday's win over the Penguins.
Roy challenged Sidney Crosby's goal for offside because Noel Ashari, who was returning to the bench for a line change, was still on the ice when the puck entered the offensive zone. It looked like that would invalidate Pittsburgh's goal.
However, a review ruled the play onside because Acciari, who was on his way to the bench, had both skates off the ice when the puck entered the zone.
“I still believe it was offside,” Roy said after the 4-3 penalty shootout win. “What you need to understand is if your feet are outside the bench, does that count as inside the bench? And that's what I need to understand from the league. I back up the rep and I think they were right to make that call [to challenge]”
Roy said he understood the play was offside based on what his coach told him earlier in the season.
“Earlier this year, they talked to us about if your skating isn't working. [is] Inwardly, this is a warning to too many men,” Roy said. “Are your skates in the ice too?” [it] Fair play or not? That's what I need to understand. ”
An Islanders spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the team has contacted the league regarding the call-up.
Rule 83.3 regarding delayed offsides states: “If an attacking player in the attacking zone chooses to proceed to his own player’s bench…both skates shall leave the ice and the linesman shall be deemed to have cleared the zone. It is stipulated that the left the playing surface. ”
Additionally, the situation handbook provided to officials states that a player in such a situation “must be removed from the ice if both skates no longer touch the ice and the linesman determines that he has left the playing surface and entered the bench.” “It shall not be considered as a property.” ”
Therefore, Acciari was considered to have left the playing surface, so even if the puck had hit him, the play would have been blown out as if the puck had gone into Pittsburgh's bench instead of being offside.
Artem Zub (concussion) and Shane Pinto (undisclosed) could return from injury for the Senators on Thursday, coach Travis Green told the Ottawa media.
Pinto is from Franklin Square, New York.
The Islanders have won the majority of their contests for a franchise-record 12 straight games, according to team statistician Eric Hornig.
The starters for Thursday's game against the Senators have not yet been announced, but Ilya Sorokin's three-game starting streak marks the longest streak since last season, when he started in six consecutive games from late February to early March.
The Islanders did not practice Wednesday before traveling to Ottawa.
